Studio Miti wraps Athita Pool Villa and Spa in undulating brick walls in Thailand

Expanding Athita Hidden Court Chiang Saen, Athita Pool Villa and Spa brings together pool villas and a spa within a climate responsive compound in Chiang Saen, northern Thailand. Completed in 2024, the 1,371 square metre project draws from the region’s architectural heritage, combining local timber and brick with contemporary concrete and steel construction.

The material palette reflects Chiang Saen’s historic landscape, where brick and timber have long defined city walls, monastic ruins and vernacular homes. Working with local craftsmen, the project retains the tactile character of these materials while introducing structural systems designed to respond to the area’s seismic conditions.

The villas reinterpret the proportions and spatial qualities of traditional northern Thai dwellings as contemporary hospitality spaces. Carefully considered openings and building envelopes support passive climate control, while the construction is designed to provide greater safety and comfort across Chiang Saen’s changing seasonal conditions.

Rather than separating the resort from its surroundings, the master plan follows the morphology of the historic Trok Soi, or urban alley. This approach preserves public permeability and maintains a respectful relationship with the nearby Athi Ton Kaeo Temple, allowing the new development to sit within the historic fabric without overpowering it.

At the heart of the spa experience is Yam Khang, a traditional Lanna fire therapy in which heated metal tools are used as part of a therapeutic massage ritual. The project translates this ephemeral practice into a dedicated architectural setting, creating a quiet sanctuary where local cultural traditions remain central to the experience of the place.

Through its combination of regional materials, passive environmental strategies and culturally specific spaces, Athita Pool Villa and Spa connects contemporary hospitality with the architectural and social character of Chiang Saen.

Project Credit

Project Name: Athita Pool Villa and Spa
Location: Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai, Thailand
Gross Built Area: 1,371 sq. m.
Completion Year: 2024
Design Firm: Studio Miti / @studiomiti_official
Photography: Spaceshift Studio